chapter 149 part 1
## Chapter 149: Dark Tidings
The scenery in the gardens of Maegor's Holdfast was intoxicatingly beautiful, a vibrant sea of colorful flowers stretching as far as the eye could see.
Glynn placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head. "Your Grace, this is my greatest honor."
Queen Cersei nodded slightly. She picked up a jeweled wine cup, took a sip, and then suddenly asked, "Lord Glynn, how much longer until your men arrive?"
Glynn glanced discreetly at Sansa beside him and respectfully replied, "Queen Cersei, ten days at the latest."
"Very good."
After speaking, Queen Cersei seemed lost in thought. Glynn and Sansa remained silent, not wanting to disturb her.
Sansa Stark was already captivated by Cersei's charm, and the promises Queen Cersei made were both grand and alluring. Her mind was now filled with beautiful fantasies of Joffrey.
House, responsibility, honor… Glynn sighed inwardly. This little wolf girl, lost in sweet love, still did not understand what "Winter is Coming" truly meant.
Alas, the capable bear the heaviest burdens.
***
Queen Cersei's beautiful gaze drifted to another spot, a gentle smile gracing her face.
"My dear Sansa, look… your prince has come for you."
Not far away, Joffrey, leading a handsome white horse, waved in their direction.
Sansa first rose with a joyous expression, then said shyly, "Your Grace, I…"
Queen Cersei shook her head helplessly and spoke in a doting tone, "My sweet Sansa, go now. Don't keep your prince waiting."
Once Sansa had left, Queen Cersei's gentle smile instantly vanished.
"Such a simple child."
Glynn chuckled. "Queen Cersei, what matters is that you are pleased."
"Sit down."
Queen Cersei gestured to the chair Sansa had just vacated.
Glynn paused for a moment. He first bowed his thanks, then pulled the chair back a little before sitting down.
Cersei's lips curved into a faint smile, and her emerald eyes fixed on the upright Glynn.
"Lord Glynn, can your soldiers deal with the Gold Cloaks?"
Glynn's eyes flickered. He respectfully replied, "Your Grace, it depends on where the battle takes place. If it's outside the city, two thousand Clegane Bluecloaks are enough to defeat all of King's Landing's Gold Cloaks."
He paused, then continued, "However, if the fighting is within the city, it would be different. Almost every Gold Cloak is equipped with chainmail, a breastplate, and a helmet; they are well-equipped. The narrow confines of the city make it difficult for the Clegane soldiers to leverage their advantages. The best outcome would be a narrow victory, but casualties would certainly be high, and the few who remained might not be able to continue serving you."
"Armor?"
Cersei paused, then spoke, "What if your soldiers had enough armor?"
Glynn replied without hesitation, "If the Gold Cloaks dare to offend you, my soldiers will slaughter every last one of them. With comparable equipment, one Bluecloak can defeat ten Gold Cloaks. Of that, there is no doubt."
Queen Cersei stood. She paced back and forth for a moment, then said, "I will send someone to speak with Lord Janos, the Commander of the City Watch. It's time for the Gold Cloaks to replace their old equipment anyway."
Had Lord Janos already been bought, or was he about to be? That… was not important. The equipment for the Gold Cloaks, acquired under some pretense, was the key.
Lord Janos was probably about to get rich, and so was Glynn.
Glynn's eyes lit up. "Your Grace, your wisdom is astonishing. By then, the weak Gold Cloaks can only choose to submit to you. No one in King's Landing will be able to defy your orders."
Queen Cersei, holding a wine cup, walked closer to Glynn. "Clever Glynn, it seems you've already guessed what your queen intends to do?"
Glynn lowered his gaze, his expression solemn as he said, "The duty of House Clegane is to ensure the Queen's safety."
Queen Cersei's emerald eyes stared for a long moment. Glynn's expression began to grow somewhat unnatural, and her lips curved almost imperceptibly.
After a pause, Queen Cersei moved, seating herself on Glynn's lap. One of her hands lightly circled his neck.
Glynn could clearly feel Queen Cersei's warmth. His body stiffened, not daring to move an inch.
With her other hand, she swirled the wine in her cup and smiled. "Would you stop at nothing to ensure your queen's safety?"
Glynn's throat bobbed. "Yes, my Queen."
Cersei's expression grew even more tender, her beautiful eyes gazing intently. "Regardless of that person's identity?"
Glynn's pupils constricted. He looked at the beautiful face just a hand's breadth away, his voice filled with suppressed excitement. "Yes, my Queen. Loyal and fearless."
"Very good…"
Queen Cersei raised her cup and took a sip of Dornish Red. "Glynn, your queen is very pleased with your answer. How should I reward you?"
Glynn's voice was respectful, but it held a slight tremble.
"Your Grace, your trust is the greatest reward…"
As he spoke, his eyes moved, and he continued, "A warrior needs only a fine wine."
Queen Cersei's smile deepened. She gladly granted Glynn's small request, and the clumsy Lord Glynn, held in her embrace, tasted the warm, mellow Dornish Red.
***
Outside Maegor's Holdfast, Glynn stopped and looked toward the Throne Room.
The first step was to use Lancel and strong wine to create an "accident" that was anything but. If the drunken King Robert was fortunate enough not to meet with misfortune, he would then face Jaime—resuming his old profession—and the Lannister Red Cloaks lying in ambush.
And what if the drunken king escaped again? Glynn was Queen Cersei's final resort: a military coup.
Queen Cersei had told Glynn that in a few days, she would take her children to the hunting grounds to rendezvous with King Robert… At the thought, Glynn's eyes flickered slightly.
Joffrey's charming act had been a resounding success; Glynn could feel that Sansa was completely enchanted. Queen Cersei and Joffrey would take Sansa with them under the guise of a hunt. The little wolf girl in her hands could become a hostage to restrain the old wolf at any time.
The arrangements were meticulous. If anything went awry, the omnipresent Varys might even offer his clandestine assistance. King Robert was doomed.
By that time, Lord Glynn, who commanded two thousand Bluecloaks in King's Landing, would be the only variable.
Glynn replayed every detail of his encounter with Queen Cersei. With a flick of his blue cloak, embroidered with golden marsh-blossoms, he began walking again.
Glynn's mind was meticulous and sharp, and he understood Queen Cersei deeply. The more tender she was toward him, the more it confirmed her sinister intentions.
Glynn had played his part well. In Cersei's eyes, this reserved but smoldering young man was already enthralled by her charm… He could be used, or he could be killed. It was all within her control.
***
As he walked, Glynn glanced back at Maegor's Holdfast.
If King Robert could be dealt with by an accident and an ambush… it would be a joyous outcome for all. Glynn would very likely be appointed Lord Commander of the City Watch, just as she had said.
But if it came to a coup, Glynn, for all his great service, would become the scapegoat. It was highly likely he would be joined by Lord Eddard, who was like a brother to King Robert.